This articles describes how to use the Microsoft Active Directory Group Policy to automatically distribute and deploy the inSync Client installable (MSI) across domain computers or users.

The "assign software" method of Group Policy can be used for both domain computers and users. If the installable is assigned to a user, it gets installed when the user logs on to any computer using the domain credentials. When assigned to the computer, it gets installed when the PC boots up and available to all the users on the PC. The installation gets finalized only when the application is started for the first time.

Note: Windows 2003/2008 Group Policy automated program installation requires Druva inSync v3+ client (MSI) and PCs running Windows XP/Vista

Create a Distribution Point

To assign the installable (MSI), first create distribution point on the publishing server -

1. Log on the server as domain administrator

2. Create a network share and place inSync client (MSI) in it

3. Set folder permissions to allow all the computer to access the installable

Create a Group Policy Object

To create a Group Policy Object (GPO) -

1. Start the Active Directory Users and Computers console

2. In the console tree, right click on your domain and click Properties

3. Click on Group Policy tab and select "New"

4. Choose name of the policy (e.g. "Druva inSync distribution") and press OK

5. Select group policy object in the list and click on "Properties" and then open the "Security" tab

6. Choose the groups for which you want to apply policy

7. When finished press OK

Assign the Installable

To assign the installable MSI package to the domain computers -

1. Start the Active Directory Users and Computers console

2. In the console tree, right click on your domain and click Properties

3. Select group policy object in the list and click on "Edit"

4. Under Computer Configuration expand Software Settings 

5. Right click on Software Installation, choose "New" and then click on "Package"

6. In the open dialog box, type the full UNC path of the shared installable (e.g. "//file-server/share/Druvaa-inSync-Client-ver-3.0.2.msi")

7. Click on "Assign" to assign the package and it would get listed in the right pane of the Group Policy windows.

Note: Changes to the policy are not applied immediately, but depend upon the Group Policy update interval

When the computer starts, the managed software package would be automatically installed.